- Stephen Walsh
- Wed, Apr 05 2017
Second-half goals from Matthew Whelan and Shane Lowth were enough to allow Cobh Ramblers to the next round of the EA Sports Cup at the expense of Munster Senior League side Avondale United.
The League of Ireland side made 10 changes to the side that defeated UCD last Saturday at the same ground, with Cian Coleman the sole survivor.
Former Avondale United player Karl Caulfield was amongst the substitutes on the home team’s bench.
The early stages of the game were nothing exceptional as both sides battled for possession with neither ‘keeper being tested.
Avondale had a few corners but nothing really threatened Adam Mylod making his senior debut for Ramblers in goal.
Matthew Whelan was up front on his own and he was threatening the Avondale rearguard being full of running and having a few shots of note but nothing that threatened the opposition goal.
Kyle McNamara had the best chance of the half on 38 minutes when his shot from 12 yards was well saved by Owen O’Sullivan following Shane Lowth’s excellent cross to the back post.
Within seven minutes of the restart Whelan had opened the scoring. Ross Mann’s through ball beat the ‘Dale defence allowing Whelan slot the ball neatly into the bottom corner.
Jamie Murphy hit a fierce drive into the side netting after the hour mark but that was as close as they would come with Ramblers sealing victory on 72 minutes through a superb Lowth goal. The former Limerick man smashed the ball to the net from 30 yards.
Ramblers will now prepare for a top-of-the-table clash away to Waterford on Friday night.
Cobh Ramblers: Adam Mylod; Shane Lowth, Cian Kingston, Ryan Hogan, Anthony O’Donnell; Cian Coleman; Ross Mann, Jason Abbott, Darren Murphy (Craig Donnellan 66), Kyle McNamara (Scott McCarthy 88); Matthew Whelan (Ian Mylod 63).
Subs not used: Michael Sadys, Dean Swords, Steven Christopher, Karl Caulfield.
Booked: Cian Coleman (50), Ryan Hogan (90+2).
Avondale United: Owen O’Sullivan; David Kiely, Stephen Barrett, Eoghan Lougheed; Danny O’Connell, Hughie O’Donovan, Ray Lally, Darren Murphy (Vinnie O’Brien 11), Andrew Gannon; Jamie Murphy (Simon Falvey 72), Josh O’Shea.
Subs not used: Cian Hartnett, Greg Kelly, Eoin Ryan, Tom Linehan, Liam O’Sullivan
Booked: None.
Referee: Jason Mannix.
Attendance: 200 (estimate).
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Matthew Whelan (Cobh Ramblers).
